Systems and methods for a skin smoothing device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for a skin smoothing system are disclosed herein. The skin smoothing system may comprise a strap fitted with a means for strap length adjustment, a first hair engagement element attached to a first end of the strap, and a second hair engagement element attached to a second end of the strap, wherein the first hair engagement element is affixed to a first side of a user&#39;s head and the second hair engagement element is affixed to a second side of the user&#39;s head

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/291,268, filed Dec. 17, 2021, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods forsmoothing skin. In particular, some implementations may relate to asystem that smooths skin by applying tension to the skin.

BACKGROUND

Wrinkles are the lines and creases that form on the skin. Some wrinklescan become more significant crevices or furrows and may be morenoticeable on one's face. Facial wrinkles are a natural part of aging,and are most commonly found on sun-exposed skin areas such as the eyes,neck, mouth, and hairline. Although genetic factors primarily determineskin texture and structure, sun exposure and pollutants can alsocontribute to wrinkling.

Reducing the appearance of wrinkles has been attempted in a variety ofmanners. For example, a cosmetic facelift is a medical procedure thatcan create a younger appearance of the facial skin by reducing saggingor folding skin on the cheeks and jawline that otherwise develop withage. Cosmetic facelifts can be advantageous as they are typicallypermanent, however, they are invasive, expensive, and require seriousmedical attention.

Another example of a skin wrinkle reduction method is using cosmetictape. Cosmetic tape pulls and flattens skin upon application, andalthough inexpensive, can be uncomfortable, visible, and difficult toinstall on one's face.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are described herein for a skin smoothing system.Such a skin smoothing system provides a quick, non-invasive, andinexpensive way to stretch the skin between and around the eyes and thehairline around the ears. The skin may be smoothed, which can reduce theappearance of wrinkles by physically pulling the skin towards thehairline, and stretching or pulling the eyes, which can change or altereye position or shape.

The skin smoothing system comprises a strap fitted with a slider forlooping the strap through the slider to permit strap length adjustment.A first hair engagement element comprises a plurality of teeth, whereinthe first hair engagement element is attached to a first end of thestrap. A second hair engagement element comprises a plurality of teeth,wherein the second hair engagement element is attached to a second endof the strap. The first hair engagement element and the second hairengagement element are arranged such that, when the first hairengagement element is affixed to one side of a user's head and thesecond hair engagement element is directed towards an opposite side ofthe user's head, the plurality of teeth of each of the first and secondengagement elements grab tresses of hair, such that tension can beimparted simultaneously on the tresses of hair in engagement with theplurality of teeth, which produces skin tightening during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader'sunderstanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should benoted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are notnecessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a skin smoothing system from atop view.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a skin smoothing systemwrapped around a posterior portion of an individual's head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a skin smoothing system beingplaced on an individual with wrinkles before tension is applied to astrap.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a skin smoothing system afterbeing placed on the individual with tension applied to the strap pullingthe skin on the individual's face, reducing wrinkles.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and theequivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a skin smoothing systemthat provides an inexpensive, fast, and non-invasive alternative to acosmetic facelift or cosmetic tape.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of a skin smoothing systemfrom a top view and wrapped around the posterior portion of anindividual's head, respectively. In FIGS. 1 and 2 , the skin smoothingsystem 100 comprises a strap 102, with a first end 103 and a second end105, fitted with a means 104 for tightening the strap 102 such as slider104. The strap 102 is looped through the slider 104 and can bemanipulated in a known manner to permit strap length adjustment. Thefirst end of the strap 103 may be connected to a first hair engagementelement 106, which comprises a plurality of teeth 108 that secure thefirst hair engagement element to a tress of hair located on a side 202individual's head 200. The second end of the strap 105 may be connectedto a second hair engagement element 110, which comprises a plurality ofteeth 108 that secure the second hair engagement element to a tress ofhair on an opposite side 204 of the individual's head 200.

In various embodiments, the strap 102 may be constructed from a singlepiece of clear or transparent material of minimal thickness (e.g., apolymer) with elastomeric properties. For example, the material formingthe strap 102 may be plastic, rubber, silicone, and/or a material withsuch similar properties. Alternatively, the material forming the strap102 may be woven and/or absent elastomeric properties. In otherembodiments, the strap 102 may be constructed from multiple pieces.Individual pieces forming the strap 102 may be interconnected. Forexample, multiple pieces may be connected together to form a singlestrap via a connector, fastener, screw, tape, and/or similar.Alternatively, individual pieces forming the strap 102 may be held byengagement element at attachment points at ends 103, 105. In otherembodiments, the strap 102 may be constructed from a single or multiplepieces of opaque material of minimal height (e.g., a polymer) withelastomeric properties. In other embodiments, the strap 102 may beconstructed from a single or multiple pieces of either transparent oropaque material.

In various embodiments the strap 102 may range in thickness from 1millimeters (mm) to 100 mm. In some embodiments, the strap 102 may rangein length from 5 centimeters (cm) to 50 cm. In some embodiments, thestrap 102 is fitted with means 104 for adjusting a length of the strap102 such as slider 104. Specifically, the strap 102 is looped throughthe slider 104 to provide a means for strap length adjustment by movingthe slider 104 along the length of the strap 102 in a conventionalmanner. In this manner, the strap 102 can be length adjusted such thatthe skin smoothing system 100 fits individual heads of varying sizesand/or provides a desired amount of skin tightening and reduction ofwrinkles.

In various embodiments, the shape of the strap 102 may be rectangular,comprising two longer edges and two shorter edges, wherein one shorteredge can be a first end 103 and the opposite shorter edge cam be asecond end 105. In some embodiments the shorter edges may range inlength from 1 mm to 10 cm. In some embodiments the long edges may rangein length from 5 cm to 50 cm.

In various embodiments, the strap 102 is fed through the slider 104 byrunning a first end 103 through a first opening of the slider 104 andout of a second opening of the slider 104, then looping the first end103 around a first hair engagement element 106 (described below) andreturning the first end 103 to the second opening of the slider 104 andthrough the first opening of the slider 104 to create a suitable straplength adjustment mechanism. In particular, the slider 104 can beemployed to shorten the strap 102 by pulling on the first end 103 todecrease the amount of strap 102 that extends to the first hairengagement element 106. The strap 102 can be loosened by releasing aportion of the strap 102 through the slider 104, resulting in increasedstrap length. In some embodiments, the second end 105 may be loopedthrough the slider 104, as similarly described above, through a secondhair engagement element 110, and back through the slider 104. In someembodiments the first end 103 and the second end 105 areinterchangeable.

In various embodiments, the first end 103 of the strap 102 may beconnected or attached to a first hair engagement element 106. In someembodiments, the first end 103 is attached to the first hair engagementelement 106 by looping the first end 103 through an opening on the endopposite the plurality of teeth 108, and returning the first end 103 tothe slider 104 to be secured. In other embodiments, the first end 103 issecured within the first hair engagement element 106 by conventionalfastening means such as glue, screw, pressure, fastener, or connecter.

In various embodiments, the second end 105 of the strap 102 may beconnected or attached to a second hair engagement element 110. In someembodiments, the second end 105 is attached to the second hairengagement element 110 by looping the second end 105 through an openingon the end opposite the plurality of teeth 108, and returning the secondend 105 to the slider 104 to be secured. In other embodiments, thesecond end 105 is secured within the second hair engagement element 110by conventional fastening means such as glue, screw, pressure, fastener,or connecter.

The first and second hair engagement elements 106, 110 each comprise aplurality of teeth 108 that connect the hair engagement elements 106,110 to an individual's hair located at first and second sides 202, 204of the individual's head 200. In some embodiments, the plurality ofteeth 108 may be combs comprised of one or more substantially parallelelongated rods. In some embodiments, the rods are metal, plastic,silicone, or rubber. In some embodiments, the rods are 1 mm to 10 mm inlength. In various embodiments, the rods are curved to help hold a hairengagement element 106, 110 to a tress of hair located on a side 202,204 of the head 200. In some embodiments, the rods are straight. In someembodiments, each hair engagement element comprises 1 to 20 rods. Invarious embodiments the first and second hair engagement elements 106,110 are made from metal, plastic, rubber, or silicone. In variousembodiments, the teeth 108 are attached to an internal portion of hairengagement elements 106, 110.

As discussed above, the first engagement element 106 may compriseplurality of teeth 108 configured to attach to individual's head 200 atside 202 first before extending and attaching to the opposite side 204.An individual's head 200 will typically have sufficient hair located atsides 202, 204 for the plurality of teeth 108 to grip when run throughthe hair, thus creating an attachment that can be released by pulling anengagement element 106, 110 towards the face of the wearer. The hair onthe individual's head 200 may be collected by the hair engagementelements 106, 110 in groupings or tresses.

In various embodiments, the first hair engagement element 106 and thesecond hair engagement element 110 are arranged such that, when thefirst hair engagement element 106 is affixed to one side of the user'shead 202 and the second hair engagement element 110 affixed to anopposite side of the user's head 204, the plurality of teeth 108 of eachof the first and second engagement elements 106, 110 each grabrespective tresses of hair. In some embodiments, the strap 102 may thenbe tightened using the slider 104, such that tension can be impartedsimultaneously on the tresses of hair in engagement with the pluralityof teeth 108, conductive for skin tightening during use. For example,the skin smoothing system may be placed on an individual's head 200 suchthat and first and second hair engagement elements 106, 110 may attachto hair on opposite sides 202, 204 of the individual's head 200. Next,the strap 102 may be adjusted by the slider 104 to increase the tensionon the strap, as discussed in detail below, and to stretch the skin onthe individual's face, causing the wrinkles around their eyes to bereduced. In some embodiments, the stretching may alter the shape of theeyes or position of the eyes.

In various embodiments, the tension in the strap 102 is determined andadjusted by lengthening or shortening of the strap 102 by the slider104. In some embodiments, the tension creates a pulling effect on thehair, which creates a smoothing effect on the skin disposed near thehair being pulled. In some embodiments, increasing or decreasing tensionbetween the plurality of teeth 108 and the tresses of hair, mayeffectuate a skin tightening during use. In some embodiments, the skintightening during use smooths skin, alters eye positions, and alters eyeshapes. In other embodiments, the skin tightening may correct, mitigate,or alleviate asymmetry in a facial feature of the individual by placingthe first and second hair engagement elements 106, 110 at differentplaces on the head to create uneven tension on the facial skin.

FIGS. 3 and 4 , are diagrams showing an example of a skin smoothingsystem 100 being placed on an individual with wrinkles before tension isapplied to a strap 102 and after tension applied to the strap 102, whichpulls the skin on the individual's face, thereby reducing wrinkles.Referring to FIG. 3 , the strap 102 fitted with a slider 104 that iswrapped around a posterior portion of the individual's head 200. A firsthair engagement element 106 may be attached to a tress of hair 250 on afirst side 202 of the individual's head 200, and a second hairengagement element 110 may be attached to a tress of hair 250 on anopposite side 204 of the individual's head 200. Prior to adjusting thestrap 102 with the slider 104, an individual may have wrinkles 300 neartheir eyes or hairline that are reduced or eliminated once the strap istightened using the slider 104.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the strap 102 is adjusted using theslider 104 to create a degree of tension in the strap 102 such that afirst pulling force 402 is created at the first hair engagement element106, and a second pulling force 404 is created at the second hairengagement element 110. In particular, the first hair engagement element106 engages with a tress of hair 250 on the first side 202 of theindividual's head 200 to pull the skin back toward the posterior of thehead 200 in the direction of force 402, whereas the second hairengagement element 106 engages with a tress of hair 250 on the secondside 204 of the individual's head 200 to pull the skin back toward theposterior of the head 200 in the direction of force 404. In someembodiments, the individual will adjust the strap 102 to increase thetension applied to the hair on either or both sides of the head 202,204. In various embodiments, the degree of tension will determine theamount of resulting skin smoothing, the amount of eye positionalteration, and the amount of eye shape alteration. In some embodiments,the facial skin, when pulled toward the back of the head 200 by way ofthe tension in the strap, will experience a reduction in wrinkles 400.

In various embodiments, once secured to the individual's head, the strap102 may be partially or fully obscured by hair from the posteriorportion of the individual's head 200. Some embodiments contemplate the astrap 102 comprising a transparent material of minimal thickness, thusallowing the strap to be easily covered by the hair once in place.Furthermore, securing the strap 102 under the hair results in the strap102 being difficult to detect because it may be hidden by an amount ofhair covering the strap. In other embodiment, the entire skin smoothingsystem may be hidden because the strap 102, the slider 104, and thefirst and second hair engagement elements 106, 110 may be covered byhair from both the posterior and anterior portions of the individual'shead 200.

In some embodiments, the first and second hair engagement elements 106,110 may be attached in symmetrical locations on either side 202, 204 ofthe individual's head 200. In some embodiments, the first and secondhair engagement elements 106, 110 may be attached in asymmetricallocations on either side of the individual's head 200.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams maydepict an example architectural or other configuration for theinvention, which is done to aid in understanding the features andfunctionality that can be included in the invention. The invention isnot restricted to the illustrated example architectures orconfigurations, but the desired features can be implemented using avariety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it willbe apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional,logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implementedto implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, amultitude of different constituent module names other than thosedepicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally,with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and methodclaims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall notmandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recitedfunctionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the invention is described above in terms of variousembodiments and implementations, it should be understood that thevarious features, aspects and functionality described in one or more ofthe individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to theparticular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can beapplied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments aredescribed and whether or not such features are presented as being a partof a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-describedembodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedin multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A skin smoothing system, comprising: a strapfitted with a means for strap length adjustment; a first hair engagementelement attached to a first end of the strap; and a second hairengagement element attached to a second end of the strap; wherein thefirst hair engagement element is affixed to a first side of a user'shead and the second hair engagement element is affixed to a second sideof the user's head.
 2. The skin smoothing system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second hair engagement elements include a plurality of teethto facilitate engagement with a tress of hair located on the first andsecond sides of the user's head, whereby tension is impartedsimultaneously on the tresses of hair resulting in skin tightening andwrinkle reduction.
 3. The skin smoothing system of claim 2, wherein themeans for strap length adjustment comprises a slider for adjustingtension between the plurality of teeth and the tresses of hair.
 4. Theskin smoothing system of claim 3, wherein an increase in tension resultsin smoother user skin, altered eye positions, and altered eye shape. 5.The skin smoothing system of claim 2, wherein a location of the firstand second hair engagement elements is selected to correct asymmetry ina facial feature.
 6. The skin smoothing system of claim 1, wherein thestrap is constructed from a single piece of transparent, thin plastic.7. A method of smoothing skin using a skin smoothing system, comprising:wrapping a strap having a means for strap length adjustment around aposterior portion of an individual's head; attaching a first hairengagement element comprising a plurality of teeth, wherein the firsthair engagement element is attached to a first end of the strap, to atress of hair on a first side portion of the individual's head;attaching a second hair engagement element comprising a plurality ofteeth, wherein the second hair engagement element is attached to asecond end of the strap, to a tress of hair on a second side of theindividual's head; shortening the length of the strap to create a degreeof tension in the strap.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereby shorteningthe length of the strap results in imparting increased tensionsimultaneously on the tresses of hair, resulting in skin tightening andwrinkle reduction.
 9. The skin smoothing system of claim 7, wherein themeans for strap length adjustment comprises a slider for adjustingtension between the plurality of teeth and the tresses of hair.
 10. Theskin smoothing system of claim 8, wherein imparting increased tensionsimultaneously on the tresses of hair results in smoothing user skin,altering eye positions, and altering eye shape.
 11. The skin smoothingsystem of claim 7, wherein attaching the first and hair engagementscomprises selecting locations for the first and second hair engagementelements to correct asymmetry in a facial feature.
 12. The skinsmoothing system of claim 7, further comprising constructing the strapfrom a single piece of transparent, thin plastic.
 13. The skin smoothingsystem of claim 7, further comprising attaching the first and secondhair engagement elements in a symmetrical arrangement on either side ofthe individual's head.
 14. The skin smoothing system of claim 7, furthercomprising attaching the first and second hair engagement elements in anasymmetrical arrangement on either side of the individual's head.